CJ Griffin Named General Counsel of New Jersey Press Association
Effective October 1, 2025
The New Jersey Press Association (NJPA) has appointed CJ Griffin, partner at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. (PSWH), as its new general counsel, effective October 1, 2025.
Griffin, who directs the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at PSWH, is recognized for having litigated high profile public records cases that have expanded access to police use of force information, dash-cam and body-cam footage, and police misconduct files. Griffin also advises clients on First Amendment matters involving free speech and media law (including defamation, trade libel, anti-SLAPP, shield law protection, and public records access). Griffin has argued more than two dozen cases before the New Jersey Supreme Court and is a frequent advocate for press freedom and government transparency.
Griffin’s tenure comes at a time of unprecedented challenges for the media, including recent amendments to the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) that scaled back access to public records, and changes to public notice requirements that gut critical funding sources for newspapers.
“I hope to help NJPA grow and fight back against the ongoing attacks on transparency and the news industry,” said Griffin. “The press keeps people informed, holds those in power accountable, and serves as a pillar of democracy—we must keep the pillar strong.”
Griffin succeeds Thomas J. Cafferty of Gibbons P.C., a distinguished media lawyer who is retiring after nearly 50 years as NJPA’s General Counsel.
“I know I have very big shoes to fill in succeeding Tom, a legal giant who has played an important role shaping New Jersey’s jurisprudence regarding public records access, free speech, and newsgathering,” Griffin said.
Griffin will be supported in her work with NJPA by her PSWH colleagues Bruce S. Rosen, a longtime media lawyer and former reporter, and Jennifer A. Borg, former general counsel for North Jersey Media Group Inc. and a former president of NJPA.
To kick off her tenure, Griffin will offer a free webinar on October 30, 2025 at 12:30 p.m., titled “Using OPRA and the Common Law to Access Police Records.” The webinar will be part of an ongoing series offered exclusively to NJPA members. To participate, join the NJPA by completing an application at www.njpa.org.